WEEK 32: Don’t hold your breath

Prompted by: Leto

Something must’ve gone down.

Something big.

Because the damn coward wouldn’t look me in the eye.

Instead, he touched my shoulder like it was made of glass, gently tracing the fresh, angry scar with bloodstained fingertips. Then pressed a chaste kiss to my forehead before placing a hand on the small of my back and ushering me down the hallway. Once we were outside, he set the safe house on fire behind us, letting it burn to the ground as we drove away. Without exchanging another word.

And that was fine by me. In fact, it was better than fine.

It was perfect.

I had nothing to say to him anyway. But when the bastard’s thumb started tapping a steady rhythm against the smooth leather steering wheel of his overpriced, pompous beast of a sedan…

I simply couldn’t take anymore and snapped, “Cut it out.”

More tapping.

I wasn’t entirely sure why but, “That’s really fucking annoying.”

The tapping ceased, followed by a long stretch of silence.

Tense, awkward, fully loaded silence.

Finally, so low that I could barely decipher the words, “He’s sorry.”

My irritation quadrupled immediately. “For what?”

Even lower, “Everything.”

“Shut up, Slick.”

“He wanted me to tell you that…”

“Just shut up,” I cut him off abruptly, my voice almost cracking with desperation. Almost. I put a stop to that son of a bitch and continued calmly, “If the asshole wants to apologize, he can do it himself.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”

Fear seized my windpipe, causing me to stutter, “But you said that…that he was still…that he’s not…”

As I floundered helplessly, strong fingers wrapped around my thigh. Gave it a comforting squeeze. “Don’t worry, Iz. He’s not dead,” my brother-in-law laughed wryly. “At least he wasn’t when I left.”

Exhaling a shaky breath, I brushed his hand away and growled, “Then don’t say stupid shit like that.”

He glanced over at me with an odd smile.

“What?”

Then turned his attention back to the road.

What?”

At last, he murmured, “You won’t hear an apology from him anytime soon.”

My brows furrowed together in confusion.

“Or ever.”

A paralyzing surge of panic coursed through my veins. I clenched my teeth and rode out the nauseating wave.

Is he on life support? Completely brain-dead? A fucking vegetable?

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

No reply.

“Slick…”

“He can’t speak anymore.”

Holy fuck.

What’s the prompt for next week, guys? 

Make suggestions below. 7 words or less.

12 thoughts on “WEEK 32: Don’t hold your breath

  1. Mistress Ann this flash fiction makes me happy! I love this story, I can’t wait for next week to read more!! Seriously as soon as I read each week’s little scene I am dying for more!!

    Prompt suggestion . . .
    I think I’ve lost my mind

      1. Being twisted is fun!! But waiting a whole week to read more of your flash fiction is not fun at all!!

        And glad you liked the prompt suggestion, I thought you would!!

          1. You are definitely edging closer and closer to writing romantic suspense!! One day soon you’ll be writing a fantastically gripping serial killer mystery!!

            1. LOL Princess Jane! I think I’d better write a dark romance before trying my hand at romantic suspense. Knowing me, I’d forget who the killer was and get all confused 😛

  2. Hahaha. I enjoyed both the prompt and the conversation, ladies:) I vote for Mistress Ann writing suspense as well. She’s still keeping us in suspense!

    Prompt: Damn, that’s cold.

    1. Come for the fiction, stay for the random convo, eh? 😉 And I don’t need to write suspense; I AM suspense…

      *cue ominous music*
      *or a superhero theme*
      *isn’t sure which*

      Fantastic prompt, Queen Amanda!! Thank you muchly!!!

      Hugs,
      Ann

  3. Let’s see… a prompt, and something that has to do with the powers of speech…

    One doesn’t need speech to be able to convey remorse… or a complete lack thereof.

    1. Have I mentioned I adore you, Mr Matt? Even if I gotta shorten all your suggestions to 7 words myself 😉 Hmm… “You don’t need speech to convey remorse” …?

      That’s all I can think of right now LOL

      Big hugs,
      Ann

  4. Absolutely LOVED it! I know I’m late in answering! Sorry!
    prompt:
    Shut up!
    Come on!
    You’re screwed! (or some slightly more colorful variation of that! Feel free to use your imagination!) 😉

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